Harrison Renews with Babolat

Lyon, France — Babolat, leading manufacturer of tennis products, today announces Ryan Harrison has renewed his commitment to use Babolat racquets and strings for the next four years. Harrison, now 19 years old, has used Babolat racquets and strings since he was 12 years old. He has partnered with Babolat since May 2008, building his game and career around a great serve and all-court game.

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Harrison now splits his time between Austin, Texas, and Bradenton, Florida, where he lives at the IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Harrison has signed an international agreement with Babolat that assures he will be equipped with innovative Babolat tennis products through 2016. Seth McKinley, Babolat International Sports Marketing Manager, commented, “Ryan’s renewel with Babolat is a vote of confidence in the brand, the equipment and the service he recieves from Babolat. Harrison’s charisma, passion and dedication to tennis represent our brand values.”

“I am really happy to be continuing my relationship with Babolat, remarked Harrison. “I feel their products have helped me in the beginning of my career and will continue to help me climb the ATP World Tour Rankings. The brand has supported me since I was young—it is nice to be a part of the great Babolat family.”

The Next Generation of U.S. Stars

McKinley has known Harrison since 2004 and says he always believed that even at an early age, Harrison had the kind of enthusiasm and natural talent to succeed.

Harrison, managed by Ben Crandell of IMG, embarked on a partnership with Babolat in May 2008 and has since continued to steadily improve his game playing with the Pure Storm LTD and Pro Hurricaine Tour/VS hybrid stings. Harrison has climbed up the world rankings on the strength of his serve and forehand. In 2011, Harrison made his first ATP semi-finals in Atlanta where his performance shot him into the top 100 for the first time, to No. 94. Currently ranked No. 77 on the ATP Tour, Harrison reached a career high singles ranking of 66 on August 29, 2011.

Other career milestones include:

o Reached a career high ITF junior ranking of #7 in 2008 at 15 years old o Won his first round at the 2008 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships, distinguishing Harrison as the third youngest ATP match winner since 1990, right behind Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal o Quarterfinalist at the 2010 Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island—an ATP World Tour 250 series tournament o Defeated the 15th-seeded Ivan Ljubicic in the 2010 U.S. Open, making Harrison the first American teenager to beat a top 20 opponent in a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick defeated Alex Corretja at Wimbledon in 2001 o In 2011, played in the main draw of all 4 Grand Slams and was one of just two teens to finish the year ranked inside the top 100 on the ATP World Tour Rankings o Reached Round 16 of the 2011 BNP Paribas Open (ATP Masters 1000), defeating three top 50 players before losing to No. 3 player Roger Federer o Reached back-to-back semifinals in Atlanta and Los Angeles (both ATP 250) in 2011 o Won his first ATP World Tour Title in 2011—Campbell’s Hall of Fame Doubles with Matt Ebden o In 2011, recorded seven wins over top 50 players, highlighted by a victory over Serbian world No. 16 Viktor Troicki at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai o Nominated 2011 ATP World Tour Newcomer of the Year o Featured in the ESPN Magazine Next Issue